Ice making apparatus



Oct. 8, 1957 T. B. CHACE 2,808,707

ICE MAKING APPARATUS Filed April 21, 1955 a 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 'INVENTORFI G. 1 THCMAfi E .CHAC-E 1 b ATTORNEY5 Oct. 8, 1957 CHACE 2,808,707

ICE MAKING APPARATUS Filed April 21, 1955 INVENTOR Winn y A'II'TORNEY5bet. 8, 1957 T. B. CHACE 2,808,707

ICE MAKING APPARATUS Filed April 21. 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 THOMA6 ECHAC-E by g 265 M r ATTORNEYS United States ac i Q 77 9? ICE MAKINGAPPARATUS Thomas B. Chace, Winnetka, 11]., assignor to The Dole ValveCompany, Chicago, 111., a corporation of lilinois Application April 21,1955, Serial No. 502,843

15 Claims. (Cl. 627) This invention relates to improvements in icemaking apparatus and more particularly relates to such apparatus whichmay be contained in a household refrigerator for automatically freezingwater to form blocks of ice.

A principal object of my invention is to provide an improved apparatusfor automatically making blocks of ice having a simplified means forejecting the blocks of ice from the mold therefor.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel and simplifiedform of apparatus for making blocks of ice in which the usual electricmotor for tilting the ice mold for ejecting the blocks therefrom iseliminated.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an ice makingapparatus which has obviated the necessity for heating the mold forremoving the blocks of ice therefrom.

Another and important object of my invention is to provide a simple andimproved form of ice making apparatus utilizing a thermal element forejecting the blocks of ice from the mold therefor without first heatingthe mold to release the blocks of ice therefrom.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a simple and novelform of ice making apparatus in which individual blocks of ice arefrozen in a mold having a refrigerant circulating therethrough and inwhich high motion solid or wax filled types of thermal elements bothrotate the mold to an ejecting position and eject the blocks of icetherefrom.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an ice maker havinga tiltable mold having a flexible bottom with a high motion solid or waxfilled type of thermal element for tilting the mold to an ejectingposition, a second high motion solid filled type of thermal element forflexing the bottom of the mold to eject the ice blocks or cubestherefrom together with heaters for the thermal elements operating in apredetermined timed sequence for heating the thermal elements to efiectrotation of the mold and ejection of the ice blocks or cubes therefrom.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel andimproved form of ice maker, particularly adapted for making ice inhousehold types of refrigerators in which the mold is tilted and the icecubes are ejected by high motion solid filled thermal elements and inwhich the thermal elements are heated and water is admitted to the moldfor freezing purposes and freezing of the water is attained through asimplified and novel cyclic control circuit arranged to carry out thefilling, freezing and ejecting operations in a predetermined cycle andto automatically repeat the operations to effect the supply of ice cubesor blocks in a continuous cycle as required.

These and other objects of my invention will appear from time to time asthe following specification proceeds and with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a refrigerator having anice making apparatus constructed in accordance with my inventioncontained therein;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the ice making apparatusshown in Figure 1;

2,808,707 Patented a, a, 1957 Figure 3 is a longitudinal fragmentarysectional view taken through the ice making apparatus shown in Figure 1substantially along line III I II of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partial fragmentary sectional view taken through the rearend portion of the ice making apparatus and forming a rear continuationof Figure 3; and,

Figure 5 is a wiring diagramillustratirig the energizing circuit foroperating the apparatus in a predetermined timed sequence.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, theficemaking apparatus includes generally a mold in the form of a cold platehaving a refrigerant tube 11 leading thereabout, connected with thecooling coils or evaporator of a refrigerator 12 through flexiblerefrigerant lines 13. The refrigerant lines 13 may rest on a bottomplate 14 of a support frame 24 for said mold or cold plate toaccommodate free tilting of said cold plate about trunnion shafts 15 and15a extending from opposite ends thereof. V p Y A solid or wax filledtype of thermal element 16 is provided to tilt the cold plate 10 fromthe horizontal position shown in Figure 3 to the generally uprightposition shown in dotted in Figure 2 to accommodate th ejection of theice cubes or blocks from the mold or cold plate 10. A second thermalelement 17, which may be of the solid or wax filled type is provided toflex the bottom of the mold or cold plate 10 and eject the frozen blocksof ice therefrom.

The apparatus also includes a solenoid controlled filling valve 19,shown as supplying water to a uniform volume flow control annulus 20 atthe intake end of a filling tube 21, leading through a wall 23 of theframe 24 and terminating in cascade relation with respect to the mold orcold plate 10 for supplying water thereto for freezing. V

The valve 19 may be a wellknown form of solenoid controlled valve havinga solenoid 25 cyclically energized under the control of a filler switch26 operated by an intermittently operating timer motor 27 (see Figure 5as will hereinafter more clearly appear as this specification proceeds.

The flexible flow control annulus 20 may be of a type somewhat similar'to that shown and described in Patent No. 2,389,134, which issued toClyde A. Brown on No vernber 20, 1945, so need not herein be describedor shown in detail. The flow control annulus 20 rests against a flatseat or shoulder 27 in thetube or pipe 21, as in the aforementionedBrown patent, to provide a uniform volume of water in a predeterminedtime interval for filling the mold or cold plate 10 in a predeterminedtime, regardless of variations in pressure of the water 'at the source.While the flow control annulus 20 is herein shown as being at the outletin the valve 19 it is readily apparent thatit may be at the inlet tosaid valve or may be in various other locations desired.

The mold or cold plate 10 is shown ashaving a dished in 'or recessedportion '30 having opposite inclined end walls 31 and inclined sidewalls 32. connected together by spacedtransverse dividers 33 to provideindividual com partments in said cold plate for the freezing of watertherein in the form of ice cubes or blocks. The dividers 33 are shown asbeing triangular in cross-section, the apices of which terminate asubstantial distance beneath the ,top of the cold plate 10; toaccommodate over-fillingover the tops of said dividers without theoverflow or spilling of water down onto the previously frozen iceblocks.

The dividers 33 substantially determine the thickness of the ice blocks,and water may first fill thefspace'be tween the rear end wall 31 andfirst divider and flow over the tops of the successive dividersnntil themoldis full;

or else may flow along the bottom of the cold plate through suitablepassageways (not shown), which may be provided in the dividers 33 toaccommodate the filling ofthe mold with water to the tops of thedividers 33.

The cold plate 10 is shown as having a flexible bottom 35 in the formofa diaphragm which may either be made from a thin metal sheet, orma'ybe made from flexible material such as rubber, Neoprene, or any otherlike material, flexed to eject the ice blocks from the mold by theoperation of plungers 36. The plungers 36 have disks 37 on the upperends thereof, engaging the underside of the flexible bottom or diaphragm35.

The plungers 36 are shown as being guided in'spaced bosses 39 dependingfrom recessed portions 40 of a plate 41 extending along the bottom ofthe cold plate 19 and secured thereto as by machine screws 43 extendingthrough the plate 41 and shown as being threaded within the bottoms ofthe dividers 33. Therecessed portions 40 of the plate 41 are shown asbeing of a depth sufficient to bringthe tops of the disks 37 flush withthe bottom of the flexible diaphragm 35 to provide a flat bottom for themold when the plungers 36 are in their retracted positions and the moldis filled with water for freezing.

The marginal edge of the plate 41 is shown as being recessed to conformto the general form of the refrigerant tube 11 and to retain saidrefrigerant tube to a resilient packing 44 in a downwardly openingrecess or'groove extending about the bottom of the cold plate 10, asshown in Figure 3.

The cold plate 10 and the dividers therefor, dividing the recessedportion of said cold plate into a series of molds for ice blocks, may bemade from any suitable material such as aluminum, copper clad withstainless steel, or copper having high heat transfer properties and aminimum surface sticking property to the ice. A copper clad withstainless steel has been found to be an ex ceedinglysatisfactory'material since the copper produces fast, efiicient coldtransfer for quick and uniform freezing and the stainless steel does notadhere or stick to the ice blocks. 31 and 32 may also be coated with asilicone preparation to further facilitate the freeing of the ice blocksfrom the mold.

The trunnion shaft extending from the front end of the cold plate 10 isshown as being shouldered and as journaled in a bearing 45 carried in anend wall 46 of the frame 24. The opposite trunnion shaft 15a extendsthrough the wall 23 and is journaled thereon on a bearing 47. Therearwardly projecting end of the shaft 15a is shown as having a collar49 thereon which may be pinned or otherwise secured thereto. A lever arm56 abuts the outer face of the collar 49 and may be pivotally connectedto a yoke 51, as by a pivot pin 53. The yoke 51 is mounted on the end ofa piston or power member 55 extensible from a cylinder 56 of the thermalelement 16. a

The thermal element 16 is shown as being of the socalled power type orhigh motion solid fill type of thermal element such as is shown anddescribed in the Vernet Patent No. 2,386,181, dated January 30, 1945,and has been selected for its compactness and simplicity, as well as itsextreme power and relatively long range of travel of its power member orpiston 55. In such types of thermal elements, a thermal medium (notshown) is contained within the casing 57 of the thermal element and actsagainst a membrane or deformable member (not shown), to extend the powermember or piston 55 from the cylinder 56 as the thermal medium in thecasing 57 reaches its fusion point. The thermal medium may be of a waxalone or a Wax containing a powdered metal heat conductor and a binder,the material used being selected for its melting or fusion point and thefusion point thereof determining the temperature range of operation ofthe thermal element.

The surfaces of the dividers 33 and the walls The casing 57 of thethermal element 16 is shown as being carried in a cup-like retainer 59encircled by an electric heating element 60 which may be a resistanceheater of a well known form, so need not herein be shown or describedfurther. The outer margin of the retainer 59 is shown as being abuttedby a heat conductor ring 61 encircling the casing 57 adjacent the innerend of the cylinder 56. The closed end of the retainer 59 is shown asbeing generally semi-spherical in form and as having pivotal bearingengagement with a socket 63 in the upper face of an adjustment screw 64.The adjustment screw 64 conforms to the form of the semi-spherical faceof the retainer 59 and is herein shown as being threaded within thebottom plate 14. The socket 64 thus serves as a bearing support for theretainer 59 and thermal element 16, accommodating tilting movementthereof upon extension of the piston 55 from the cylinder 56 to tilt thecold plate 10. The thermal element 16 and retainer 59 are retained inposition in the socket 63 as by a tension spring 65 forming a returnspring for the thermal element 55 and also returning the cold plate 10to the horizontal position shown in Figure 3, at the end of theoperationof ejecting ice blocks therefrom. The spring 65 is shown asbeing hooked through an apertured portion 66 of the bottom plate 14 atone end and through an arm 67 extending outwardly from the lever 50 atits opposite end.

It may be seen from the foregoing that upon energization of the electricheater 60 and heating of the thermally expansible material within thecasing 57 to its fusion point, that the piston 55 will be extended fromthe cylinder 56 and pivot the cold plate 10 from the horizontal positionshown in Figure 3 to the generally vertical position shown in dottedline in Figure 2 into position to have the ice cubes ejected therefromby operation of the plungers 36, as will hereinafter be more clearlydescribed as this specification proceeds.

It should further be understood that the amount of pivotal movement ofthe cold plate 10 depends upon the length of the travel of the piston 55of the thermal element 16, and that the travel of the piston may beincreased or decreased by the use of larger or smaller thermal elements.

The thermal element 17 for ejecting the ice blocks from the cold plate10 is shown as being of the same general form of thermal element as thethermal element 16 and as having a cylinder 69 threaded within the outerend of an ejector lever 70. The ejector lever 70 is pivoted at its endopposite the thermal element 17 between the furcations of a dependingsupport bracket 71 on a transverse pivot pin 73.

The thermal element 17 also has a casing 74 containing a thermallyexpansible fusible material and a heat conductor ring 75 abutting thetop surface of the ejector lever 70. A piston 76 extensible from thecylinder 69 is shown as abutting the end wall of a yoke 77 at its outerend for pivoting the ejector lever 70 in a direction which in Figure 3is a counterclockwise direction when the thermally responsive materialwithin the casing 74 is heated to its fusion point.

The yoke 77 is shown as extending upwardly along the opposite sides ofthe thermal element 16 and as having laterally extending feet 79 securedto the bottom of the cold plate 10. I

A heater 89, which may be of a well known form of electrical resistanceheater is shown as being carried on an arm 81 extending outwardly fromthe flange of a flanged sleeve'83 encircling the casing 74. The heatersupplies heat to heat the thermally expansible fusible material withinthe casing 74 to its fusion point to effect extension of the piston 76from the cylinder 69, as has previonslybeen described in connection withthe thermal element 16. The flange of the flanged sleeve 83 is abuttedby a spring 85 recessed within a downwardly opening recess 86 formed inthe forward end of the cold Plate The spr ng 86 s rve o ret eti y mo e tejector lever 70 and to return thepiston 76 withinjthe cylinder 69 whenthe heater 80 is .de-energized and the temperature of the thermallyresponsive material is reduced sufiiciently. to accommodate retractiblemovement of the piston 76 within the cylinder .69.

The ejector lever 70 is shown as having a plurality of adjustment screws87 threaded therein. Each adjustment screw 87 is in registry with aplunger 36 to engage the same and effect operation of the disk 37 toflex the flexible diaphragm 35 upon pivotal movement of the lever 70toward the .cold plate 10. The screws 87 may be adjusted to adjust theperiod of ejection of the ice blocks from the cold plate 10 andeffectthe successive ejection of said ice blocks if desired, or to effect thesimultaneous ejection of all of the ice blocks.

.In Figure l of the drawings I have shown the ice making apparatus inthe refrigerator 12 over a tray 90 spacedtherebeneathand extendingupwardly along the sides of the. apparatus in spaced relation withrespect thereto, to receive the cubes or blocks ejected from the coldplate 10 when frozen. An arm 91 is pivotally carried on a housing 93 inlaterally spaced relation with respect to the cold plate 10 and adjacentthe rear end thereof. The arm 91 is provided with .a rider on its outer.end, herein shown as being a hollow ball or sphere 94 which extendsdownwardly beneath the bottom of the housing 93 within the tray 90. Asuitable stop (not shown) may be provided to limit downward movement ofsaid arm and ball, and hold the arm 91 and sphere 94 in position toaccommodate the ice cubes to pass thereunder. The sphere 94 is adaptedto ride on the tops of the ice blocks deposited in the tray 90 andoperate a switch 95 (Figure 5) to deenergize the energizing circuit forthe apparatus when the tray 90 is overfilled.

When the over-fill switch 95 is open, the filling valve 19 will remainclosed and the cold plate 10 cannot again be filled with water untilsufiicient ice blocks have been removed from the tray 90 to accommodatethe arm 91 to drop into position to effect closing of the switch 95.

Referring now to the control circuit illustrated in Fig ure 5, thefilling, ejecting and freezing operation is under the control of thefilling switch 26 controlling energization of the solenoid 25 foreffecting opening of the filling valve 19 and under the control of amain switch 100. The switches 26. and 10.0 are shown as being camoperated, operated by the intermittently operating timer motor 27.

A main line conductor 101 is shown as being connected with a switch arm103 of the main switch.100. The switch arm 103 is shown as following a.cam .104 and as being operated thereby at the initiation of the fillingcycle. to engage a contact 105 having connection with a contact 106 ofthe over-fill switch 95.. The contact 106 of the over-fillswitch 9.5 isnormally engaged by a switch arm 107 completing a circuit to a contact109 of an ejector switch 110. p

The ejector switch 11 0.is mounted on the. cold plate 10 and extends toone side thereof and is herein shown as being. a two-position switchoperated by a switch button 111 engaged by a button.1 12 on the outerend of a resilient arm 113 mounted on the ejector lever 70 and extendingoutwardly therefrom. The contact 109 of the ejector switch 110 normallyengages a switch arm 1 14 prior to and during the freezing operation.Upon the ejecting operation, however, movement of the ejector lever 70toward the plunger .66 will engage the button 112 on the arm 113 withthe button 111- of ejector switch 110 and depress the same and break thecircuit from the contact 109 through the switch arm 114 alud make acircuit from the switch arm 114 to a contact 115. The contact 115 has aconnection with a contact 116 of the main switch 104 through a conductor117.

When the over-fill switch 95 is closed and the contact arm 103 is inengagement with the contact 105, the contact arm 114 is in engagementwith the contact 109. A circuit is then completed to a contact arm 119,of the filling switch 26. The contact arm 119 follows a cam 120 drivenby the motor 27 simultaneously with the cam 104. The cam 120 is soarranged as to produce a lag in the operation of the switch arm 119 fromoperation of the switch arm 103 and to engage the switch arm 119 with acontact 121 of the filling switch 26 a predetermined time interval afterengagement of the switch arm 103 with the contact 105.

The switch arm 119 engaging the contact 121, will complete a circuitfrom the main line conductor 101 through a coil 123 of the solenoid 25to a main line conductor 124,-to energize the coil 123 and effectopening of the filling valve 19 and start the filling cycle under thecontrol of the flow control valve or annulus 20.

The switch arm 119 engaging the contact 121 will also complete a circuitthrough a heater coil 125 of a temperature switch 126 to effect heatingof the coil 125 to open a bi-metal switch 127 in a predetermined timeinterval. The bi-metal switch 127 completes a circuit from a conductor129 connected with the conductor 117, to a conductor 130 connected withthe heaters 60 and through the contacts of an overheat safety switch131.

The temperature switch 126 may be a well known form of bi-metal switchhaving a bi-metal switch arm 127, the contacts of which open by resistorheat and close at a low temperature and thus sense the temperature ofthe ice blocks, and do not close until the temperature to which thebi-metal arm 127 is subjected has dropped to a predetermined level belowthe freezing point, at which temperature level the ice blocks will befrozen.

At the end of the filling cycle, which may require an interval of 15seconds, the switch arm 119' will ride off the raised surface of its camand come into engagement with a contact 135, the circuit to whichcontact is open. This will deenergize the coil 123 of the solenoid 25and effect closing of the filling valve 19. The heater coil 125 willalso be deenergized. The switch arm 127, however, will be in its openposition. The cam 104 will then have advanced a sufiicient distance toeffect disengagement of the switch arm 103 from the contact andengagement of the switch arm-103 with a contact 116. The motor 27 willthen be deenergized, andsince the switch arm 127 is in its openposition, the entire operating and heater circuits, will be deenergized.

As soon as the filling cycle is completed, the freezing cycle willcommence and during the freezing cycle there is no current flow, as haspreviously been mentioned. As the ice blocks are frozen and thetemperature thereof drops to a predetermined level below the freezingpoint, the bi-metal arm 127 will move to its closed position to completea circuit through the heater coils 60 and 80.

The heater coil 60 will thus heat the casing of the thermal element 16to effect extension of the piston 55 from the cylinder 56 and tilt thecold plate 10 from its horizontal position shown in Figures 2 and 3 toits dotted line position shown in Figure 2.

The heater coil 80 will likewise heat the casing 74 of the thermalelement 17 to effect extension of the cylinder 76 from the piston 69 andpivotal movement of the ejector lever 70 toward theplnngers 3.6, toflexthe flexible diaphragm .35 by operation of the disk 37 on the ends ofthe plungers 36 and loosen the ice blocks so they will fall out of thecold plate 10.

As the ejector lever reaches the end of its ejecting operation, the arm113 will engage the button 112 with the button 111 of the ejector switch110. This will effect movement of the switch arm 111 of the ejectorswitch to break the circuit to the contact 109 and make a circuitthrough the contact 115. At this point in the cycle of operation of thecircuit, the switch arm 103 will be ,in engagement with the contact 116.The motor 27 will then be energized through the switch-arm 103, contact116,-

conductor 117, contact 115, switch arm 114, and a conductor 137connected with said motor and a second conductor 139c0nnected from saidmotor to the main line conductor 124.

The motor 27 will then operate the cam 104 to disengage the switch arm103 from the contact'llfi and engage said switch arm with the contact105. The heater coils 60 and 80 will then be deenergized allowing thethermal elements 16 and 17 to cool. As these thermal elements cool, thespring 65 will return the cold plate it) to the horizontal positionshown in Figure 2. The spring 85 will also move the ejector lever 70away from the plungers 36, accommodating the flexible diaphragm 35 toreturn to its unfiexed position. The button 112 on the arm 113 will thendisengage the button 111 of the ejector switch 110. The switch arm 114will then engage the contact 169 to complete a circuit to the fillingswitch 26. Upon a delayed time interval, the cam 126 will move theswitch arm 119 into engagement with the contact 121 to again energizethe coil 123 of the solenoid 25 and open the valve 19 to effect a nextsucceeding filling operation. The heater coil 125 of the temperatureswitch 126 will likewise be energized, opening said switch at the startof a next succeeding filling and freezing operation, it being understoodthat during the filling operation, the circuit to the conductors 117 and129 is open, regardless of whether the temperature switch is in its openor closed position.

It should here be understood that the over-heat safety switch is a wellknown form of switch operated by a series coil 140 and normallyremaining closed and only opening upon excessive current conditionswhich may be effected by over-heating of the heater coils 6d and 8%.

It should further be understood that the overfill switch 95 is normallyclosed and is only opened upon the discharge of an excessive amount ofice cubes in the tray 96 by operation of the arm 91 and sphere 9d ridingon the ice cubes as they discharge into said tray.

It should also be understood that while I have shown a high motion typeof solid fill thermal element, which serves as a heat motor to eject theice blocks, when the mold is tilted, that it is within the scope of myinvention to eject the ice blocks from the mold by the use of a heatmotor, without tilting the mold and that various other ejecting meansthan the means shown and described herein may be used without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an automatic ice block maker, an ice block mold, a thermal elementfor ejecting ice blocks from said mold, said thermal element comprisinga casing containing a fusible material and a piston extensibly movablewith respect to said casing upon fusion of the fusible material therein,an ejector arm on said mold operated adjacent one end by relativemovement between said casing and piston, and means heating said thermalelement to effect relative movement between said casing and piston andoperate said ejector arm to eject ice blocks from said mold, the end ofsaid ejector arm adjacent said thermal element having an arc of movementsubstantially equal to the stroke of said piston.

2. In an automatic ice making apparatus, a mold having a flexible bottomand mounted for positioning in a horizontal position for freezing waterin the form of ice blocks and into a generally upright position for theejection of ice blocks therefrom, a thermal element for moving said moldinto an upright ejecting position, a second thermal element fordeforming said bottom to eject ice blocks therefrom, individual heatermeans for each thermal element to effect operation thereof, valve meansfor introducing water into said mold when in a horizontal position,electrically energizable means for operating said valve means tointroduce Water into said mold, and means for energizing said heatermeans sequentially of 8 operation of said valve means, to effectoperation of said thermal elements to pivot said mold into an ejectingposition and to eject ice blocks therefrom.

3. In an automatic ice making apparatus, a cold plate forming an iceblock mold having a flexible bottom, a refrigerant coil leading aboutsaid cold plate for cooling the same, said cold plate being pivotallymovable about a horizontal axis and being in a horizontal position forfreezing and in a generally vertical position for the ejection of icecubes therefrom, a thermal element connected with said cold plate fortilting the same, a flexible refrigerant line connecting saidrefrigerant coil in said cold plate with a source of supply ofrefrigerant, a second thermal element for deforming said bottom to ejectice cubes therefrom, individual heater means for said thermal elementsto effect operation thereof, a valve for introducing water into saidcold plate, electrically energize able means for opening said valve, andan electrically energized circuit sequentially connected with saidelectrically energizable means for opening said valve and connected withsaid heater means for elfecting opening of said valve and filling ofsaid mold and upon freezing of the water in said mold effectingenergization of said heater means to effect operation of said thermalelements in a predetermined sequence of operation.

4. An automatic ice making apparatus comprising a mold having a flexiblebottom and a refrigerant coil recessed therein and extending thereabout,a support for said mold, supporting said mold for movement into ahorizontal position for freezing ice cubes therein and into a generallyupright position for the ejection of ice cubes therefrom, a valve forintroducing water into said mold when in a horizontal position, asolenoid for operating said valve, a thermal element having a casingcontaining a fusible thermally expansible material, a piston extensiblewith respect to said casing upon predetermined increases in temperatureand having pivotal connection with said mold for tilting the same uponpredetermined temperature rises, an electrically energizable heater forsaid thermal element to heat the same and effect move ment of said moldto an upright ejecting position, a second thermal element for deformingsaid bottom and including a casing containing a fusible thermallyexpansible material, a piston extensible with respect to said casing andan operative connection from said piston to said deformable bottom fordeforming the same upon extension of said piston from said cylinder, anelectrically energizable heating means for heating said thermal elementto effect operation thereof and a cyclic control circuit for saidsolenoid and said heating means for opening said valve and filling saidmold with water, and upon the freezing of the water in said mold heatingsaid thermal elements in a predetermined sequence.

5. An automatic ice making apparatus comprising a mold for ice blockshaving a flexible bottom, a support for said mold, supporting said moldfor movement about a horizontal axis from a horizontal filling andfreezing position into an upright ejecting position, a refrigerant tubeextending about said mold, a flexible refrigerant line connecting saidtube with a source of refrigerant in a vaporized state, a valve forintroducing water into said mold when in a horizontal position, asolenoid energizable to open said valve, a thermal element having anextensible piston having pivotal connection with said mold and having acasing containing a fusible thermally expansible material, an electricheater for said thermal element to heat the same to effect extension ofsaid piston with respect to said casing and tilting of said mold into anejecting position, a second thermal element having an extensible piston,an operative connection from said piston to said deformable bottom fordeforming the same upon extension of said piston, said second thermalelement having a casing containing a fusible thermally expansiblematerial and a heater for heating the thermally expansible material toeffect extension of said piston and deformation of said deformablebottom, and a cyclic control circuit for effecting the energization ofsaid solenoid to effect opening of said valve for filling said mold andto effect the energization of said heaters at the termination of thefreezing operation to effect tilting of said mold to an ejectingposition and the ejection of ice cubes therefrom. e V

6. An automatic ice making apparatus comprising a mold for ice blocks, asupport for said mold, su porting the same for movement about ahorizontal axis from a horizontal freezing position into an upright iceblock ejecting position, a thermal element for pivotally moving saidmold into an upright ejecting position and having a casing containing afusible thermally expansible material and a piston extensible withrespect to said casing, a retainer for said thermal elementencir'clingsaid casing and having pivotal bearing engagement with said support, alever arm extending from said mold, a pivotal connection between saidpiston and" said lever arm for tilting said mold, an electric heaterencircling said retainer,

means for energizing said heater to effect operation of said piston totilt said mold into an ejecting position, and a spring for returningsaid mold into a horizontal position upon deenergization of said heaterand also main taining said retainer in bearing engagement with saidsupport.

7. An automatic ice making apparatus comprising a mold for ice blocks,ejecting'mechanism for ejecting ice blocks from said mold, and means'for operating said.

ejecting mechanism from an adjacent end thereof comprising a solid fillthermal element having an extensible piston operatively connected withsaid ejecting mechanism, an electric heater energizab'le'to heat saidthermal element and effect operation thereof, and a return spring forreturning said piston and ejecting mechanism upon deenergization of saidheater, the end of said ejectorarm adjacent said thermal element havingan arc of movement substantially equal to the stroke of said piston.

S. An automatic ice making apparatus comp-risinga mold for ice blocksand the like havingfa flexible bottom, means for deforming said bottomto eject ice blocks from said mold comprising an iejector lever. pivotedto said mold adjacent one end thereof in spaced relation with respect tothe bottom thereof and extending along said mold and having operativeconnection with said bottom to deform the same upon movement of saidlever toward said mold, a solid fill thermal element operativelyconnected with said lever adjacent the other end of said mold and havinga casing containing a thermally expansible material, a cylinderextending from said casing, a piston extensible from said cylinder, aheater for heating said casing to effect the extension of said pistonfrom said cylinder, electrically energizable means for energizing saidheater, and a return spring .for said ejector lever returning said leverand returning said piston Within said cylinder, the end of said ejectorlever adjacent said thermal element having an arc of movementsubstantially equal to the stroke of said piston. i

9. An automatic ice maker comprising a tiltable mold having a flexiblebottom, a thermal element having a piston and a fusible thermallyexpansible material for operating said piston, ejector means operated bysaid thermal element for deforming said bottom to eject ice blocks fromsaid mold, a second thermal element having a piston and a fusiblethermally expansible material for operating the same, means operated bysaid piston for tilting said mold into an ice block ejecting position,separate electric heaters for said thermal elements to effect operationthereof, a valve for filling said mold with water, a solenoid foroperating said valve, an energizing circuit for said solenoid andheaters comprising a main switch having a switch arm and two contacts, afilling switch having a swtich arm and one contact, an energizingcircuit from said one contact of said filling switch to said solenoid, amotor for operating said main and filling switches, an energizingcircuit from one'c-ontact ofsaid main switch to said motor, anenergizing circuit from said one contact of said main switch to saidfilling switch arm, said motor operating, to en'- g'age saidswitch armof said filler switch with the contact thereof to effect the fillingofsaid mold and to disengage said switch arm therefrom after apredetermined time interval and to sequentially engage said switch arrnof said jmainswitch with a second contact thereof and 'deenergize saidmotor, an energizing circuit from said second contact of said mainswitch to said electric heaters for energizing the same to effectoperation of said thermal elements to tilt said mold and eject iceblocks therefrom, arid spring means returning ,said mold to a fillingposition and returning said ejector means to an inoperativepositionatthe end of an ice block ejecting cycle, l

10. An automatic ice maker comprising a tiltable mold having a flexiblebottom, a thermal element having a piston and a fusible thermallyexpansible material for operating the same, ejector means operated bysaid thermal element fordeforming said bottom to eject ice blocks fromsaid mold, a second thermal element having a piston and affusihlethermally expansible material for operating the same, means operated bysaid piston of said second thermal element for tilting said mold into anice block ejecting position, separate electric heaters for said thermalelements to effect operation thereof, a valve for filling said mold withwater, a solenoid for operating said valve, an energizing circuit forsaid solenoid and hea'tersicomprising' a main switch having two contactsand a filling switch energized through one contact of said main switchand having a contact connected with said solenoid forenergizing thesame, an'energiz'in'g circuit from the other contact of said main switchto said heaters, and a ternpera-tu reswitch in said last mentionedenergizing circiiit and' maintaining the energizing circuit to" said-hea'trsopen durin g 'freezing of the ice blocks and sensing thetemperature of the ice blocks and closing upon freezing thereof, toenergize said heaters and effect the eject-ion of said ice blocks fromsaid mold,

11. An automatic ice block maker comprising a tiltable-mold having aflexible bottom, a thermal element having apiston and afusible thermallyexpansible material for-operating the same, ejector means operated bysaid thermal element for deforming said bottom'to eject ice blocks fromsaid mold, a second thermal element having 'a' pisjton'and afusiblethermally expansible material for operating the same, means operated bysaid last mentioned piston for tilting said mold into an ice blockejecting position, separate electric heaters for said thermal elementsto effect operation thereof, a filling valve for said mold, a solenoidfor operating said valve, an energiz'ing circuit for said solenoid andheaters comprising a main switch having a switch arm and two contacts, afilling switch having a switch arm and one contact, an energizingcircuit from said fillingswitch contact to said solenoid, amo'tor foroperating said switches, an energizing circuit from one contact ofsaidmain switch to said irnotor-to'enrgize said motor, an energizingcircuit from said one contact of said main switch to said filler switcharm, said motor being operable to engage said switch arm of said fillerswitch with the contact thereof when energized and to disengage saidswitch arm therefrom after a predetermined time interval and tosequentially engage said switch arm of said main switch with the secondcontact thereof and deenergize the energizing circuit for said motor,and an ejector switch operated by said ejector means and connecting saidmotor in said energizing circuit through said second contact of saidmain switch upon the ejection of the ice blocks from said mold andmoving to complete a circuit from said second contact of said mainswitch to said switch arm of said filling switch when said mold is in ahorizontal filling position, to initiate a next succeeding filling andejecting operation.

12. An automatic ice block maker comprising a tiltable mold having aflexible bottom, a thermal element having a piston and -a fusiblethermally expansible material for operating the same, ejector meansoperated by said thermal element for deforming said bottom to eject iceblocks from said mold, a second thermal element having a piston and afusible thermally expansible material for operating the same, meansoperated by said last mentioned piston for tilting said mold into an iceblock ejecting po sition, separate electric heaters for said thermalelements to efiect operation thereof, a filling valve for said mold, asolenoid for operating said valve, an energizing circuit for saidsolenoid and heaters comprising a main switch having a switch arm andtwo contacts, a filling switch having a switch arm and one contact, anenergizing circuit from said filling switch contact to said solenoid, amotor for operating said switches, an energizing circuit from onecontact of said main switch to said motor to energize said motor, anenergizing circuit from said one contact of said main switch to saidfiller switch arm, said motor being operable to engage said switch armof said filler switch with the contact thereof when energized and todisengage said switch arm therefrom after a predetermined time interval'and to sequentially engage said switch arm of said main switch with thesecond contact thereof and deenergize the energizing circuit for saidmotor, an ejector switch operated by said ejector means upon theejection of ice blocks from said mold and connecting said motor in saidenergizing circuit through said second contact of said main switch atthe end of an ice block ejecting operation and moving to complete acircuit from said one contact of said main switch to said switch arm ofsaid filling switch when said mold is in a horizontal filling position,to effect the initiation of a next succeeding filling and freezingcycle, and an over-fill switch in series with said one contact of saidmain switch and said ejector switch and operable to prevent theinitiation of a next succeeding filling and freezing cycle upon an oversupply of ice blocks.

13. An automatic ice maker comprising a tiltable mold having a flexiblebottom, a thermal element having a piston and a fusible thermallyexpansible material for operating the same, ejector means operated bysaid thermal element for deforming said bottom to eject ice blocks fromsaid mold, asecond thermal element having a piston and a fusiblethermally expansible material for operating the same, means operated bysaid last mentioned piston for tilting said mold into an ice blockejecting position, separate electric heaters for said thermal elementsto effect operation thereof, a filling valve for'said mold, a solenoidfor operating said valve, an energizing circuit for said solenoidcomprising a main switch having a switch arm and two contacts, a fillingswitch having a switch arm and one contact, an energizing circuit fromsaid filling switch contact to said solenoid, a motor for operating saidswitches, an energizing circuit from one contact of said main switch tosaid motor to energize said motor, an energizing circuit from said onecontact of said main switch to said filler switch arm, said motorengaging said filler switch arm of said filler switch with the contactthereof to energize said solenoid and effect the filling of said moldand disengaging said filler switch arm therefrom after a predeterminedtime interval, a temperature switch having a bi-metal switch arm, anenergizing circuit from the other contact of said main switch throughsaid bi-metal switch arm to said heaters for energizing the same, aresistance heater for heating said bi-metal switch arm to effect themovement of said switch arm into an open position, an energizing circuitfrom said one contact of said filling switch to said resistance heaterto energize the same and effect opening of said temperature switchduring filling and the freezing operation, said motor moving said switcharm of said main switch into engagement with a second contact thereofand moving said filling switch arm out of engagement with a contactthereof to deenergize said solenoid, and said temperature switchmaintaining the energizing circuit to said heaters open and sensing thetemperature of the ice blocks and closing upon freezing thereof, toenergize said heaters through the second contact of saidmain switch andeffect theejection of the ice blocks from said mold.

14. In an automatic ice block maker, a tiltable mold having a flexiblebottom and side walls sloping outwardly with respect thereto, a solidfill thermal element for tilting said mold, means heating said thermalelement to effect operation thereof to tilt said mold, a second thermalelement for deforming said bottom to eject ice from said mold whentilted, and means heating said second thermal element to efiectoperation thereof to deform said bottom.

15. In an automatic ice making apparatus, a tiltable ice block moldhaving a flexible bottom and side walls sloping outwardly with respectthereto, fluid supply means for introducing water into said mold, asolid fill thermal element for tilting said mold, a second thermalelement for deforming said bottom to eject ice blocks'therefrom,individual heating means for said thermal elements to effect operationthereof, and electrically energizable means for effecting operation ofsaid fluid supply means and energiz'ation of said heater means inpredetermined sequences of operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,933,615 Babcock Nov. 7, 1933 2,037,4l7 Hull Apr. 14, 1936 2,072,601Miner Mar. 2, 1937 2,115,502 Vernet Apr. 26, 1938 2,161,321 Smith June6, 1939 2,259,066 Gaston Oct. 14, 1941 I 2,489,896 Kempton Nov. 29, 19497 2,526,262 Munshower Oct. 17, 1950 2,558,093 Kinney June 26, 19512,654,230 Storer Oct. 6, 1953 2,717,495 Andersson Sept. 13, 19552,718,690 Ulam Sept. 27, 1955

